Mackovic On Asu Wish List?

Arizona State fired football coach Larry Marmie Wednesday, and there`s speculation in Tempe the school might make a run at Illinois coach John Mackovic as a replacement.

Athletic Director Charles Harris said he will embark on a nationwide search, and several Sun Devil boosters have mentioned Mackovic as a prime candidate.

Mackovic does have ties to the region. He was an assistant coach and offensive coordinator at Arizona during the 1970s, and he applied for the head coaching job at Arizona during the 1980s.

There`s pressure on Arizona State to land a big-name coach, and Mackovic, an avid golfer who wouldn`t mind the year-round sun, obviously fits the bill. The Sun Devils lured basketball coach Bill Frieder away from Michigan with a huge financial package in 1989, and they plan to try the same method if it means landing a top football coach.

Much to his annoyance, Mackovic`s name routinely comes up whenever there`s a significant vacancy, and he has steadfastly voiced his commitment to Illinois. Mackovic also enjoys being the school`s athletic director.

He could not be reached for comment.

Marmie was fired despite a 6-5 season highlighted by a rare victory over intrastate rival Arizona.

Marmie had a four-year record of 22-21-1 with no bowl appearances. The Sun Devils finished fifth in the Pac-10 with a 4-4 record.

While praising Marmie, Harris said the coach wasn`t getting the expected results.

``There needs to be a place in college athletics for a man of the character and fiber of Larry Marmie,`` Harris said before adding, ``I believe Arizona State University is the kind of program that ought to finish in the top third (of the Pac-10) regularly.

``Arizona State University has the capability and the resources to be successful in every phase of our endeavor. I think that`s not an unreasonable expectation.``

Marmie became Arizona State`s coach on Jan. 5, 1988. He replaced John Cooper, who resigned to become coach at Ohio State. Marmie was Arizona State`s defensive coordinator from 1985-87 after serving as Tennessee`s defensive coordinator from 1983-84.